Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond joined road safety advocate Peter Frazer OAM in Toowoomba today to officially ‘badge’ the first of every police vehicle in the region’s fleet with yellow ribbons urging road users to ‘Drive so others survive’.
Assistant Commissioner Pond said the ribbons would serve as a powerful visual reminder to motorists and helped keep the memory of Mr Frazer’s daughter Sarah alive after her heartbreaking and preventable death in a traffic crash interstate in 2012.
“Following the tragic loss of his 23-year-old daughter, Mr Frazer has become a powerful advocate for road safety, including creating Australia’s annual National Road Safety Week while spearheading important infrastructure and legislative reforms,” She said.
“Despite living through every parent’s worst nightmare, Mr Frazer has honoured Sarah by dedicating his life to improving road safety, thereby saving the lives of countless others.
“The Southern Region is partnering with Peter and the SARAH Group by badging every one of our police vehicles with these yellow ribbons, displaying a powerful message that everyone can pledge and help share the legacy of Sarah Frazer. Drive so others survive.” Assistant Commissioner Pond said.
Assistant Commissioner Pond said the region had marked the halfway point in Operation Zero, aiming to reduce road trauma throughout July, its deadliest month over the past decade.
‘Sadly, we have lost lives on the roads of all three of our districts this month. However, our people will continue to run Operation Zero year after year, if that’s what it takes, until we achieve our goal,’ She said.
“None of our Southern Region Police will ever accept any number of lives lost being reasonable or expected on our roads – and neither should the community.”
Mr Frazer thanked Assistant Commissioner Pond and the region’s police for helping raise vital awareness for road safety, reflecting on his daughter’s legacy.
“Ten years ago, my beautiful daughter Sarah was driving on the Hume Freeway in the New South Wales Southern Highlands when her car broke down,” Mr Frazer said.
“She should have been safe but Sarah and the tow-truck driver who came to assist were horrifically killed because a distracted truck driver chose not to focus on the road ahead.
“Not a day goes by when I don’t think about her and that completely preventable crash that destroyed two precious lives.”
Sarah’s family and friends continue to be challenged by her senseless loss and still grapple with their shared grief.
“During her 23 years, Sarah dedicated her life to actively looking after those who were vulnerable, and in adopting this as the foundation of our work, protecting the vulnerable has become her legacy.”
“In looking after all those on the road ahead, we encourage the community to help me share her legacy, by pledging to “Drive So Others Survive” Mr Frazer said.
Operation Zero fast facts
* Southern Region Police are conducting Operation Zero from 1-31 July 2022.
* Over the past decade, the month of July has been the worst month for lives lost in Southern Region.
* Operation Zero has the goal of zero road trauma for road users in the Southern Region.
* Vehicle drivers are asked to ‘drive so others survive’ during Operation Zero in the month of July.
* During Operation Zero, Southern Region Police will be conducting extensive enforcement across Southern Region in conjunction with public messaging and education.
* During Operation Zero, Southern Region Police will have a Zero tolerance for Fatal Five offending.
* Road users are asked to use the road in consideration of the Fatal Five – speeding, fatigue, inattention, wearing seat belts, and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Road users include vehicle drivers, riders, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians.
*21 lives lost throughout 2021, 39 lives lost year-to-date 2022.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
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